HSE board meeting minutes 22 May 2025

Present:

Mr Ciarán Devane (Chairperson), Dr Yvonne Traynor, Mr Brendan Whelan, Mr Aogán Ó Fearghail, Mr Tim Hynes, Ms Anne Carrigy, Mr Matt Walsh, Mr Michael Cawley, Mr Kenneth Mealy and Ms Lily Collison

In Attendance for Board Meeting:

Mr Bernard Gloster (CEO), Mr Damien McCallion (CTTO), Mr Pat Healy (ND Services & Schemes), Mr Tony Canavan (REO West & North West), Ms Sandra Broderick (REO Mid West), Ms Kate Killen White (REO Dublin & Midlands), Dr Andy Phillips (REO South East), Mr Joseph Duggan (Chief Internal Auditor), Mr Patrick Lynch (ND Planning & Performance); Ms Mairead Dolan (A/CFO), Mr Mark Brennock (ND Communications), Dr. Philippa Ryan Withero (AND HR), Mr Micheál Conneely (ND Capital & Estates), Mr John Smith (AND Access and Integration), Ms Sinead Reynolds (IHA Manager, Waterford Wexford) Ms Niamh Doody (CEO Office), Mr Brian Murphy (CEO Office), Ms Sara Maxwell (CEO Office), Mr Dara Purcell (Corporate Secretary), Ms Niamh Drew (Deputy Corporate Secretary), Ms Patricia Perry (Office of the Board).

Joined the meeting:

Ms Sarah McCormack (National Healthy Ireland Lead, Health & Wellbeing) and Ms Helen Deely (AND Health & Wellbeing) (Item 6)

Minutes reflect the order in which items were considered and are numbered in accordance with the original agenda. All performance/activity data used in this document refers to the latest information available at the time.

The Chairperson welcomed members to the meeting and provided an update to the Board during their private session.

2.1 Declarations of Interest

No other conflicts of interest were declared.

2.2 Chairperson’s Remarks

The Chairperson provided an update to the Board on a number of matters that would be discussed during the meeting.

2.3 Ministerial Correspondence

The Board noted the following correspondence.

- Letters to Minister for Health and Minister for Children, Disability & Equality re HSE Annual Report 2024 dated 21 May 2025

2.3 Minutes of Board meeting

The Board approved the minutes of the Board meeting of 30 April 2025 subject to an amendment, and approved the amended minutes of the Board meeting of 28 February 2025.

3.1 Audit and Risk Committee

The minutes of the Committee meeting of 11 April 2025 were noted. The Committee Chairperson provided an overview to the Board on the matters considered at the Committee meetings that took place on 09 May 2025 and Special meeting on 19 May 2025 regarding the Statement on Internal Control.

The Board held a discussion on the following areas:

• Update from the Director of the State Claims Agency (SCA) in relation to state indemnity as it applies to clinical claims in respect of the provision of professional medical services.
• Proposed programme for National Clinical Audits in Community settings which presented an opportunity to highlight existing assurance processes in place for community services.
• Narrative for inclusion in relation to the Supplier Payment Controls in the Statement on Internal Control (SIC).

3.2 Performance Committee

The minutes of the Committee meeting of 24 April 2025 were noted. The Committee Chairperson provided an overview to the Board on the matters considered at the Committee meeting that took place on 15 May 2025.

The Board held a discussion on the following areas:

• National Performance Report (NPR) for March 2025, noting good progress relative to last year, but some 2025 targets are not being met, and an outline of key metrics.
• Processes in respect of the Quality and Patient Safety agenda, which arose from Board Committee structure changes, noting that there is adequate and appropriate replacements to those functions in the new Committee structures.

Appointment of External Member

The Chairperson of the Committee requested that the Board approve the appointment of Mr Pat Kirwan as an external member of the Performance Committee for a term of 3 years until 30 June 2028, which the Board approved. Board Decision No.: 220525/15

4.1 CEO briefing to Board

The CEO briefed the Board on matters relating to Maternity services at Portiuncula University Hospital; update on HSE Board concerns in relation to a company providing sensors and associated product to the HSE; and reports due relating to Children’s Hospital Ireland (CHI).

4.2 CEO Monthly Report

The CEO reported to the Board on a number of the key significant areas as set out in the CEO Monthly Report.

The CEO reported to the Board that following previous engagements with staff of CDNTs, related services and sessions with family members, he undertook to meet a broader representation of family groups across the country in relation to delivering and planning Children’s Disability Services. An update was provided to the Board in relation to Chair and CEO’s Quarterly meeting with the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Ms Norma Foley TD, on 21 May 2025.

In relation to urgent care, the CEO advised that the management of Emergency Departments before, during and after bank holiday weekends had received significant management focus, and outlined the May Bank Holiday performance in comparison to other relevant Bank Holiday weekends. The Board noted the number of patients waiting on trolleys at 8am over the May Bank Holiday weekend was reduced by 62.4% when compared to the St Brigid’s weekend.

The CEO reported to the Board in relation to the HIQA report into the use of unauthorised and uncertified implants in surgery at CHI, noting that a HSE Oversight Group is being established to provide leadership to oversee all of the 19 recommendations of the report, to monitor their implementation and ensure evidence of their implementation in a timely manner, whilst working in partnership with CHI. The Board noted the overall aim is to ensure alignment and integration of the 19 recommendations contained within the report, and that draft Terms of Reference are to be agreed by the Oversight Group at its first meeting chaired by the CEO and will include the CCO, REO Dublin Midlands, and National Director for Access and Integration.

In relation to the National Children’s Hospital (NCH), the CEO reported to the Board on the most recent meeting of the National Oversight Group chaired by the Secretary General which took place on 14 May 2025. The Board discussed the commissioning and the planning for the opening of the NCH, and it was agreed that a site visit to the NCH would be arranged for Board members.

The Board noted that the HSE Annual Report was submitted to the Ministers for Health and Children, Disability and Equality on 21 May 2025 which is within the 21-day post adoption statutory timeframe. The Annual Financial Statements (AFS) are currently with the C&AG, and due for completion by the end of May. Once the AFS is completed, a combined Annual Report and Financial Statements will be submitted to both Ministers, commencing the 21-day legislative timeline for the Minister to lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas.

The CEO reported to the Board in relation to Insourcing and advised that a survey has issued across the system to understand the extent of insourcing and the measures in place to avoid unintended consequences or conflicts of interest, and will provide a further update at the June meeting. In the interim, the CEO’s direction to cease insourcing (in line with contractual obligations) remains and a derogation system is in place to manage circumstances of exceptional need.

The CEO reported to the Board in relation to Digital for Care 2030 Implementation which included updates on the National Integrated Staff Records and Payroll (NiSRP); National Cancer Information System (NCIS); Agreement with GS1; Artificial Intelligence & Intelligent Automation. The Board discussed the implementation of NiSRP noting the success of the overall implementation approach and what has been achieved to date in terms of saturation. The Board asked that a programme of work be undertaken that allows the use and positive benefit of NiSRP to be exploited in terms of its full functionality.

The Board discussed the requirement to achieve significant non-pay savings and efficiencies, noting that multiple actions and programmes are underway. With regard to workforce, the Board were advised that new service development (NSD) posts for 2025 are starting to enter commissioning, recruitment and onboarding, as intended, for the second half of the year, and the Board discussed the approval and recruitment planning processes under the governance of regional areas.

The Board noted the CEO’s tender of resignation to the Chair, to take effect on 05 March 2026, and acknowledged their support to the CEO.

The CEO advised that the Deputy CEO would take the remainder of the meeting, and the CEO left the meeting.

National Performance Report

The monthly National Performance Report (NPR) March 2025 data was presented to the Board. The Performance Committee also reviewed this at its meeting on 15 May 2025. The Board noted the quarterly status update on the 38 priority actions from the draft Corporate Plan and National Service Plan 2025.

The Board approved the March 2025 NPR for submission to the Minister for Health, and Department of Children, Disability and Equality, and noted that once submitted, the NPR will be published on hse.ie.

5.1 Final Annual Financial Statements 2024 and associated documentation

The Board reviewed with the Deputy CEO and Asst CFO the final draft Annual Financial Statements (AFS) 2024, notes to the accounts, Statement of Internal Control (SIC), Operating and Finance Review (OFR), Letter of Representation (LOR) 2024 and Chair’s Comprehensive Report, which had been circulated in advance.

The Asst CFO advised that the final audit is ongoing and that there are a number of key account areas where information and explanations are awaited. The Board noted the estimated completion date for all outstanding work for submission to the C&AG of 30 May 2025.

The Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee advised the Board that the Committee had reviewed the SIC at a Special meeting held on 19 May 2025 and amendments had been considered. The Board discussed the SIC and a further amendment was requested.

The Board proceeded with the re-adoption of the AFS and related documents, subject to amendment in the SIC, on the grounds that the document have been recommended by the Audit & Risk Committee as confirmed by the Committee Chairperson and nominated the Board Chairperson and the CEO to re-sign these accordingly. Decision No.: 220525/16

5.2 Contracts & Properties

As recommended by the Audit & Risk Committee for approval, the Board considered and approved the following proposed contracts and properties:

1. Strategic Assessment Report (SAR) and Development Control Plan (DCP) for the redevelopment of the University Hospital Galway campus Decision No.: 220525/17
2. Proposed Lease of Primary Care Centre at Galway City West, Seamus Quirke Road, Galway Decision No.: 220525/18
3. North West HSE Surgical Hub Decision No.: 220525/19
4. Disposal of HSE owned lands known as sites A & B on the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) Campus, to IDA Ireland Decision No.: 220525/20
5. Contract for Fixed Wing Air Ambulance Services Decision No.: 220525/21
6. Provision of ICT Infrastructure and Administration Professional Services Decision No.: 220525/22
7. Contract for the Supply & Delivery of the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines (PCV) Decision No.: 220525/23
8. National Drawdown Framework Agreement for the Supply of Medical and Surgical Consumables to The National Distribution Centre Decision No.: 220525/24
9. Authorisation Scheme to provide General Practitioners (GP) Access to Community Diagnostics Services (CT, MRI, DXA and X-ray) Decision No.: 220525/25

6.1 Healthy Ireland

The Deputy CEO introduced Sarah McCormack, National Healthy Ireland Lead, Health & Wellbeing and Helen Deely, AND Health & Wellbeing to the meeting. Documentation was circulated in advance of the meeting which provided an update for Health Services Healthy Ireland implementation.

The Board noted that the HSE Healthy Ireland Plan (2024 – 2027) sets out 72 actions to improve health and wellbeing, including targeted interventions to address health inequalities, and focusses on enabling the delivery of life-long health promotion and disease prevention activities and services that support people to live well, with and without disease, thereby reducing or delaying the onset of chronic diseases and premature mortality.

It was noted that the work of Healthy Ireland Health and Wellbeing is underpinned by a number of national policies and strategies, and the development of Health Regions Healthy Ireland implementation plans will be incorporated into the overall Regional Plans.

The Board discussed the supports of healthy behaviours from childhood through to healthy ageing, which included the promotion of a positive culture of physical activity, healthy eating, tobacco cessation, alcohol harm reduction, positive mental health and wellbeing, and sexual and reproductive health.

An outline was provided to the Board relating to the health promotion behaviours and interventions delivered in partnership with stakeholders including awareness campaigns, behaviour change programmes, and community engagement to encourage healthy behaviours and create supportive environments for health.

The Board discussed a number of issues, highlighting the increase in vaping, drugs and prescription drugs use in young people; the impact of social media on mental and physical health; low levels of vitamin D and the education initiatives for the importance of bone health; men’s health; porn and gambling addictions; the impact of hybrid working on mental health; and the widening gap in the prevalence of chronic conditions by income group.

The Board asked if the HSE had a position on the use of mobile devices by young people and the impact on their mental health, and if a policy position with Government and Department of Health should be advocated for, it was agreed that the CTTO would discuss with Public Health.

There was no further business. The meeting concluded at 2pm.